With summer winding down, it seems like everyone is trying to get in their last kicks of the season. Events of all kinds are popping up all over town. There’s the Red & Green VegFest on Saturday (see this week’s “3 Questions” for more info). There’s the premiere of a new play at Vortex (read our arts feature for details). And picking through the calendar, we see such choice cuts as a Japanese culture festival at the BioPark, the venerable Launchpad’s 29th birthday party, a jam bands festival, a head-to-head artist throwdown and more! So here’s were you’ll find us hanging out this weekend.
Obon Fest (Friday 14, Festival)
ABQ BioPark and Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation are hosting a night of Japanese arts and culture celebrating Obon Fest in the Sasebo Japanese Garden at the ABQ Botanic Garden (2601 Central Ave. NW). Much like Day of the Dead, Obon is a Buddhist festival that honors the spirits of ancestors. Make your own origami crane to hang in the bamboo grove or honor your loved ones with a lantern, or toro nagashi, set afloat on the garden’s pond. Observe a traditional tea ceremony, listen to some Taiko drumming or learn about bonsai with the North American Japanese Garden Association. Bring your own picnic and chairs or enjoy Japanese cuisine and refreshments for sale throughout the festival. It happens Friday, Aug 14 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 65+ and youth 3 to 12, free for children 2 and under. New Mexico BioPark Society Members get discounted entrance. Go to artsandculture.cabq.gov/obon2026 to reserve tickets in advance.
Launchpad 29th Birthday (Friday 14, Live Music)
Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) is something of a stalwart in Albuquerque’s music scene. Nearly everyone has seen a band there, gotten drunk there, met a date there or picked up somebody at the bar around closing time. (Bonus points for having done all four.) This Friday, Aug. 14, the venue is celebrating its 29th anniversary! If you’re in a musical mood, be there from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for a lineup that includes such Albuquerque faves as Abscond, Sorry Guero, Fit to Burn, Anesthesia, Fighting Monsters, ¡Reviva!, All Thicc, Smoking Dolls, Crash Bandits and Ceemo & The Lovers. A mere $10 gets you in the door, leaving you enough for a beer or two.
New Mexico Jam Band Fest (Saturday 15, Live Music)
Were you raised on the kind of bands that had one song per album side? New Mexico Jam Band Fest may be the event for you. On Saturday, Aug. 15, a bunch of Grateful Dead-inspired musical acts will descend on the Sid Cutter Pavilion at Balloon Fiesta Park (4401 Alameda Blvd. NE) for a full day of extended musical experimentation. Boss DJ, Hazziel Martinez, Touch of Grey and One More Silver Dollar will be there from noon to 6 p.m to get you in a groovy headspace. More than 60 food, drink, music and craft vendors will be on hand as well. Admission and parking are free!
Art Battle ABQ (Sunday 16, Art)
Art Battle is a nationwide series of “fast-paced live painting tournaments where artists create works in rounds.” While DJs mix inspiring tunes and audiences cheer them on, artists take the stage in head-to-head battles. Finished pieces are voted on by the audience and put up for auction. Albuquerque is hosting it’s very first Art Battle on Sunday Aug. 16 starting at 5 p.m. at the Valle De Luna Event Center (5401 Central Ave. NW). Tickets are between $10 and $25 and can be purchased at artbattle.com/tickets/art-battle-albuquerque-2026-08-16-dac3b1.